Kent State University · Kent, Ohio
Case #I-203-22168-292938
In FY2022, Kent State University sought E-3 AUSTRALIAN sponsorship for a Assistant Professor in Kent, Ohio at $85k per year, which is 62% above the prevailing wage of $52k. The case was certified in 10 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-203-22168-292938 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | E-3 AUSTRALIAN |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Kent State University |
| Employer Location | Kent, Ohio |
| Job Title | Assistant Professor |
| SOC Code | 25-112200 – Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| Worksite | Kent, Ohio |
| Annual Wage | $85k |
| Prevailing Wage | $52k |
| Wage Premium | +62.2% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $83k | CERTIFIED | Aug 14, 2025 |
| Adjunct Instructor | $51k | CERTIFIED | Aug 13, 2025 |
| Research Scientist | $80k | CERTIFIED | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $142k | CERTIFIED | Aug 8, 2025 |
| Adjunct Faculty | $85k | CERTIFIED | Jul 29, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Kent State University for the position of Assistant Professor in Kent, Ohio. The offered annual salary is $85k, compared to the prevailing wage of $52k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +62.2% above the prevailing wage.
The LCA is the first step in the H-1B visa process. Employers must file an LCA with the Department of Labor certifying that they will pay the foreign worker at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment. A certified LCA is required before the employer can file an H-1B petition with USCIS.
Case status: Certified. This means the Department of Labor has certified that the employer meets the wage and working condition requirements.
A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a mandatory document that U.S. employers must file with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) before they can petition for a foreign worker under the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visa categories. The LCA process was established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect both foreign and domestic workers by ensuring fair wages and working conditions.
When a U.S. company identifies a foreign national to fill a specialty occupation position, they must first obtain DOL certification through the LCA process before filing the H-1B petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this case, Kent State University filed LCA case number I-203-22168-292938 to sponsor a Assistant Professor position at their worksite in Kent, Ohio. By filing this LCA, the employer attests to four key conditions: (1) paying the higher of the actual wage or prevailing wage, (2) providing working conditions that will not adversely affect other similarly employed workers, (3) no strike or lockout at the worksite, and (4) providing notice of the filing to the bargaining representative or posting notice at the worksite.
The DOL establishes four wage levels for each occupation and geographic area, representing the progression from entry-level to fully competent workers:
For this filing, the offered wage of $85k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $52k for Communications Teachers, Postsecondary positions in the Kent, Ohio area. The positive wage premium of +62.2% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.
The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. The DOL determines prevailing wages using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employers must pay H-1B workers the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in similar positions at the company. This requirement is designed to prevent employers from using H-1B workers to undercut domestic wages.
A "Certified" status means the DOL has reviewed Kent State University's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $85k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Assistant Professor positions in the Kent, Ohio area. It is important to understand that LCA certification does not guarantee H-1B visa approval. The next step is for the employer to file Form I-129 with USCIS, which evaluates whether the position qualifies as a specialty occupation and whether the beneficiary has the required qualifications.
This LCA was received by the DOL on Jun 17, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Jun 27, 2022, a processing time of approximately 10 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.
The offered salary of $85k for this Assistant Professor position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in E-3 AUSTRALIAN visa sponsorship. When reviewing H-1B salary data, consider that wages vary significantly based on geographic location, employer size, industry sector, and the worker's experience level. This position falls under SOC code 25-112200 (Communications Teachers, Postsecondary), which standardizes how the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies occupations across industries. Metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle typically command higher salaries due to higher costs of living, while positions in smaller markets may offer lower nominal wages but comparable purchasing power.
The offered annual salary for this Assistant Professor position at Kent State University is $85k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $52k. The offered wage represents a +62.2% premium over the prevailing wage.
This E-3 AUSTRALIAN filing is for a position located in Kent, Ohio. The employing company, Kent State University, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio.
This Labor Condition Application is filed under the E-3 AUSTRALIAN visa classification. This visa classification allows employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions in the United States.
The employer for this filing is Kent State University, located in Kent, Ohio. Kent State University filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-203-22168-292938) for a Assistant Professor position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Kent State University H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Kent State University has attested to meeting all wage and working condition requirements. A certified LCA does not guarantee H-1B visa approval — the employer must still file a separate petition (Form I-129) with USCIS.